With the debt ceiling deadline just days away, all eyes are on the government's ability to borrow money. But if the ceiling isn't lifted, it won't be just the government having problems taking out a loan; everyday Americans will likely encounter new costs and difficulties as well.
The worst-case scenario would be that the U.S., running out of cash on August 2, ends up defaulting on its outstanding loans. A default would MORE
Angela Wu - Jul 30, 2011 12:39 AM ET
When last Friday's debt ceiling talks came to a frustrating end just hours after the market closed, it made sense to expect a repeat of what happened during the TARP debate. In 2008, the Dow plunged 777 points after the House voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Congressional representatives turned around and later approved the bailout package.
But Monday came and went without the kind of market slump that could MORE
Angela Wu - Jul 25, 2011 8:51 PM ET
Washington may reach a deal to raise the debt ceiling by Aug. 2, the date after which Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says the US will no longer be able to meet its debt obligations through accounting tricks.
But what happens if the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, which places a legal cap on the amount the country can borrow — and which the U.S. actually hit on May 16 — isn't raised?
"Frankly, MORE
Angela Wu - Jul 16, 2011 3:22 PM ET
If some of the world's largest corporations can't manage to keep your personal and financial data safe, is there anything you can do to protect yourself?
A recent string of cyber attacks on companies such as Sony, Citigroup and Nasdaq — organizations you'd hope would know something about data security — has spotlighted the vulnerability of personal information that could be used to steal your identity. The latest breach of customer MORE
Angela Wu - Jun 25, 2011 8:36 PM ET
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